2013 Nissan Altima Unveiled at New York Auto Show

The redesigned 2013 Nissan Altima midsize sedan made its world debut today at the 2012 New York Auto Show.

The 2013 Nissan Altima goes on sale this summer, with the new look, upgraded interior and richer technology, with a starting price of $21,500, excluding a $780 destination fee.

Nissan says the new 2013 Altima will have best in class fuel economy with 38 mpg highway (2.5-liter engine) — that’s slightly better than the Malibu Eco’s 37 mpg and the Toyota Camry’s 35 mpg.

The 2013 Altima is one of five all-new Nissan models set for introduction in the next 15 months and, as the second best-selling car in the United States in 2011, much is riding on the new fifth generation Altima.

Dynamic performance is provided by a choice of a redesigned 182-horsepower (est.) 2.5-liter DOHC inline 4-cylinder engine or a proven 270-horsepower (est.) 3.5-liter V6, with both engines matched with standard Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).  A Manual transmission isn’t offered. A hybrid version of the Altima will be introduced later.

The wheelbase is the same as previously, which means the car isn't riding on a new chassis, or platform, but Nissan did widen the track (side-to-side distance between the wheels). A wider track, properly executed, makes a car look better and feel more stable.

The premium interior design looks and feels a class above, with new NASA-inspired “zero-gravity” front seats, available leather appointments, and a new standard Advanced Drive-Assist™ Display in the center of the instrument cluster that integrates key information – including available navigation, text messaging notification and audio data – right in front of the driver.

Building on Nissan’s “Innovation for All” philosophy, the new Altima also offers standard Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System and Streaming Audio via Bluetooth®.   Also available are NissanConnectSM and NissanConnectSM Navigation with a suite of Bluetooth® phone connectivity features, including hands-free text message integration, Pandora® playback, real-time Google® POI search and more; along with Easy Fill Tire Alert, and next-generation Safety Shield Technologies, including Blind Spot Warning (BSW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Moving Object Detection (MOD) systems.

The 2013 Nissan Altima is offered in seven well-equipped models to meet a range of customer needs and budgets: Altima 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL, 3.5 S, 3.5 SV and 3.5 SL.

2013 Nissan Altima sedan pricing
- 2.5 Base: $21,500
- 2.5 S: $22,500
- 2.5 SV: $24,100
- 2.5 SL: $28,050
- 3.5 S: $25,360
- 3.5 SV: $27,780
- 3.5 SL: $30,080
- Convenience Package (2.5 SV trim only): $1,350
- Navigation Package (SV trims only): $590
- Technology Package (SL trims only): $1,090
- Remote start (S trim only): $325
- Rear spoiler (SV and SL trims only): $395
- Destination: $780